Study on the correlation and predictive value of serum pregnancyassociated plasma protein A, triglyceride and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels with gestational diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND Gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)is a concern due to its rapid increase in incidence in recent years.AIM To investigate the correlation and predictive value of serum pregnancyassociated plasma protein A(PAPP-A),triglyceride(TG),and 25-hydroxyvitamin D[25-(OH)D]with GDM in early pregnancy.METHODS A total of 99 patients in early pregnancy admitted to Peking University International Hospital from November 2015 to September 2017 were included,and underwent a fasting glucose test and oral glucose tolerance test screening at 24-28 wk of pregnancy.Of these cases with GDM,51 were assigned to group A and the remaining 48 cases without GDM were enrolled in group B.Serum PAPP-A,TG and 25-(OH)D in the two groups were compared and their correlation with blood sugar was analyzed.In addition,their diagnostic value in GDM was determined using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis.RESULTS Group A had markedly lower serum PAPP-A and 25-(OH)D levels and a significantly higher serum TG level than group B,with statistical significance(P<0.05).Furthermore,Pearson analysis identified that PAPP-A and 25-(OH)D levels were negatively correlated with fasting blood glucose(FBG)levels(r=-0.605,P<0.001),(r=-0.597,P<0.001),while TG and FBG levels were positively correlated(r=0.628,P<0.001).The sensitivity,specificity,area under the curve(AUC)and optimal cut-off value of serum PAPP-A level in the diagnosis of GDM were 72.55%,82.35%,0.861 and 16.340,respectively,while the sensitivity of TG in diagnosing GDM was 86.27%,the specificity was 66.67%,the AUC was 0.813,with an optimal cut-off value of 1.796.The corresponding sensitivity,specificity,AUC and optimal cut-off value of serum 25-(OH)D were 64.71%,70.59%,0.721 and 23.140,respectively.Moreover,multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that FBG,vascular endothelial growth factor,Flt-1,serum PAPP-A,TG,and 25-(OH)D were related risk factors leading to GDM in patients.CONCLUSION Serum PAPP-A,TG,and 25-(OH)D levels are all correlated with blood glucose changes in GDM,and are independent factors affecting the occurrence of GDM and have certain value in the diagnosis of GDM.

Plasma MMP-2 and MMP-7 levels are elevated first month after surgery and may promote growth of residual metastases

BACKGROUND MMP-2 also known as gelatinase A and MMP-7(matrilysin)are members of the zinc-dependent family of MMPs(Matrix metalloproteinase).MMP-2 and MMP-7 are remodeling enzymes that digest extracellular matrix;MMP-2 is extensively expressed during development and is upregulated at sites of tissue damage,inflammation,and in stromal cells of metastatic tumors.MMP-7 is expressed in the epithelial cells and in a variety of cancers including colon tumors.Plasma MMP-2 and MMP-7 levels were assessed before and after minimally invasive colorectal resection for cancer pathology.AIM To determine plasma MMP-2 and MMP-7 levels before and after minimally invasive colorectal resection for cancer pathology.METHODS Patients enrolled in a plasma bank for whom plasma was available were eligible.Plasma obtained from preoperative(Preop)and postoperative blood samples was used.Only colorectal cancer(CRC)patients who underwent elective minimally invasive cancer resection with preop,post-operative day(POD)1,3 and at least 1 late postop sample(POD 7-34)were included.Late samples were bundled into 7 d blocks(POD 7-13,14-20,etc.)and treated as single time points.Plasma MMP-2 and MMP-7 levels were determined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in duplicate.RESULTS Total 88 minimally invasive CRC resection CRC patients were studied(right colectomy,37%;sigmoid,24%;and LAR/AR 18%).Cancer stages were:1,31%;2,30%;3,34%;and 4,5%.Mean Preop MMP-2 plasma level(ng/mL)was 179.3±40.9(n=88).Elevated mean levels were noted on POD1(214.3±51.2,n=87,P<0.001),POD3(258.0±63.9,n=80,P<0.001),POD7-13(229.9±62.3,n=65,P<0.001),POD 14-20(234.9±47.5,n=25,P<0.001),POD 21-27(237.0±63.5,n=17,P<0.001,)and POD 28-34(255.4±59.7,n=15,P<0.001).Mean Preop MMP-7 level was 3.9±1.9(n=88).No significant differences were noted on POD 1 or 3,however,significantly elevated levels were noted on POD 7-13(5.7±2.5,n=65,P<0.001),POD 14-20(5.9±2.5,n=25,P<0.001),POD 21-27(6.1±3.6,n=17,P=0.002)and on POD 28-34(6.8±3.3,n=15 P<0.001,)vs preop levels.CONCLUSION MMP-2 levels are elevated for 5 wk and MMP-7 levels elevated for weeks 2-6.The etiology of these changes in unclear,trauma and wound healing likely play a role.These changes may promote residual tumor growth and metastasis.

Shi-pi-xiao-ji formula suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma by reducing cellular stiffness through upregulation of acetyl-coA acetyltransferase 1

BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown that the Shi-pi-xiao-ji(SPXJ)herbal decoction formula is effective in suppressing hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),but the underlying mechanisms are not known.Therefore,this study investigated whether the antitumor effects of the SPXJ formula in treating HCC were mediated by acetyl-coA acetyltransferase 1(ACAT1)-regulated cellular stiffness.Through a series of experiments,we concluded that SPXJ inhibits the progression of HCC by upregulating the expression level of ACAT1,lowering the level of cholesterol in the cell membrane,and altering the cellular stiffness,which provides a new idea for the research of traditional Chinese medicine against HCC.AIM To investigate the anti-tumor effects of the SPXJ formula on the malignant progression of HCC.METHODS HCC cells were cultured in vitro with SPXJ-containing serum prepared by injecting SPXJ formula into wild-type mice.The apoptotic rate and proliferative,invasive,and migratory abilities of control and SPXJ-treated HCC cells were compared.Atomic force microscopy was used to determine the cell surface morphology and the Young’s modulus values of the control and SPXJ-treated HCC cells.Plasma membrane cholesterol levels in HCC cells were detected using the Amplex Red cholesterol detection kit.ACAT1 protein levels were estimated using western blotting.RESULTS Compared with the vehicle group,SPXJ serum considerably reduced proliferation of HCC cells,increased stiffness and apoptosis of HCC cells,inhibited migration and invasion of HCC cells,decreased plasma membrane cholesterol levels,and upregulated ACAT1 protein levels.However,treatment of HCC cells with the water-soluble cholesterol promoted proliferation,migration,and invasion of HCC cells as well as decreased cell stiffness and plasma membrane cholesterol levels,but did not alter the apoptotic rate and ACAT1 protein expression levels compared with the vehicle control.CONCLUSION SPXJ formula inhibited proliferation,invasion,and migration of HCC cells by decreasing plasma membrane cholesterol levels and altering cellular stiffness through upregulation of ACAT1 protein expression.

Proso Millet Protein Elevates Plasma Level of High-Density Lipoprotein:A New Food Function of Proso Millet

We examined the effects of dietary proso-millet protein on plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in different rats from animals reported in our previous studies. The results showed also, in this animal, that the ingestion of the millet protein elevates plasma levels of HDL-cholesterol like our earlier works. Taking into account the anti-atherogenic function of HDL, therefore, the millet protein would be useful as a new food ingredient which has the function that regulates cholesterol metabolism

Comparison of the level of thrombus precursor protein in blood plasma between patients with acute cerebral infarction and healthy persons at different time

BACKGROUND： Thrombus precursor protein （TpP） is the index of thrombus activity level, and it is also early referencing index in detecting thrombus diseases. OBJECTIVE： To dynamically observe the changes of TpP level in blood plasma of patients with acute cerebral infarction at different time after onset, and to compare the differences of plasma TpP level between patients with acute cerebral infarction and healthy persons who received health examination. DESIGN： Controlled observation SETTING： Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College PARTICIPANTS： Totally 58 patients with acute cerebral infarction who received the treatment in the Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College between September 2004 and March 2005 were recruited in this study. They all met the diagnostic criteria revised by the 4^th National Conference of Cerebrovascular Disorders in 1995 and were diagnosed by clinical and skull CT and （or） MRI examinations. The patients included 33 male and 25 female aged from 36 to 87 years. Time to onset 〈 6 hours, 6 to 11 hours, 12 to 23 hours, 24 to 48 hours and 〉 48 hours were found in 10,11,14,10 and 13 patients respectively. Another 51 persons who homeochronously received the health body examination in our hospital were recruited, including 34 male and 17 female, aged 38 to 85 years, serving as control group. Patients with cardio-cerebrovascualr diseases or liver and kidney diseases were excluded. All the involved subjects were informed of the detected items. METHODS： About 4 mL venous blood was respectively taken from patients admitted to the hospital within 6 hours, 6 toll hours, 12 to 23 hours, 24 to 48 hours and more then 48 hours after onset, and healthy persons when receiving health examination. The level of TpP in blood plasma was measured with enzymelinked immunosorbent assay. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： ① Comparison of the level of plasma TpP between patients and controls;② Comparison of the level of plasma TpP of patients with acute cerebral infarction at different time after onset. RESULTS： Totally 58 patients with acute cerebral infarction and 51 persons who received health examination participated in the result analysis. ①Comparison of plasma TpP level between patients and controls： The plasma TpP level of patients with acute cerebral infarction was significantly higher than that of control group [（16.12±3.28）vs （5.38±1.36） mg/L, t= 20.993, P〈 0.01 ]. ② Comparison of plasma TpP level of patients with acute cerebral infarction at different time after onset： The level of plasma TpP was （12.06±3.06） mg/L within 6 hours, （15.11±3.42） mg/L at 6 to 11 hours, （20.63±4.05） mg/L at 12 to 23 hours, （16.15±3.50） mg/L at 24 to 48 hours and （11.88±3.11） mg/L at more than 48 hours after onset. It increased from the 6^th hour, reached the peak at the 12^th to 23^rd hours, maintained at very high level at the 48= hour and then gradually decreased and recovered to the level within 6 hours after onset. The level of plasma TpP of patients with acute cerebral infarction was signiticantly higher at the 12^th to 23^rd hours after onset and the 24^th to 48^th hours after onset than within 6 hours after onset （t = 13.385, P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： ①The level of plasma TpP of patients with acute cerebral infarction is significantly higher than that of persons who received health examination.② Plasma TpP levels of patients with acute cerebral infarction change in wave manner at the different time after onset.

ENDOTOXIN-INDUCED LIVER INJURY AND CHANGES IN THE LEVELS OF PLASMA TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR-α AND INTERLEUKIN-6 IN RABBITS

ELISA was employed to detect changes in plasma TNF-α and IL-6 level in rabbits having endotoxin-induced generalized Shwartzman reaction. Liver injury was assessed by the increase of serum ALT and hepatic histopathologic changes. The results showed that plasma TNF-α and IL-6 levels increased remarkably 12h after intravenous injection of endotoxin twice at a 24h interval, and these changes corresponded with the degree of liver injury. Coinjection of dexamethasone and endotoxin partly prevented the elevation of TNF-α and IL-6 levels and reduced liver injury. These results indicated that TNF-α and IL-6 were involved in endotoxin-induced liver injury.

CHANGES OF PLASMA BETA-ENDORPHIN LEVELS BEFORE AND AFTER PERCUTANEOUS TRANSVENOUS MITRAL COMMISSUROTOMY IN PATIENTS WITH MITRAL STENOSIS

To clarify the contribution of left atrial pressure to the secretion of beta-endorphin, we have investigated the relation between plasma beta endorphin levels and hemodynamic changes in 35 patients with mitral stenosis undergoing percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy (PTMC). Before PTMC, plasma beta-endorphin levels obtained from the antecubital vein (28.91 ± 5.59 pg / ml) and from the femoral vein (28.20 ± 5.44 pg / ml) in the patients with mitral stenosis were significantly higher than those obtained from the antecubital vein in the healthy volunteers (22.59 ± 3.86 pg / ml, n = 34, P< 0.001 for each). The levels of beta-endorphin in the femoral vein correlated well with the mean left atrial pressure (r=0.777, P< 0.001) and the mean right atrial pressure (r = 0.450, P<0.01) before the procedure. The antecubital venous levels of beta-endorphin in patients in New York Heart Association functional Classess Ⅱ (26.45 ± 5.39 pg / ml, n = 20) and Ⅲ (32.20 ± 4.02 pg / ml, n = 15) were significantly higher than those in control subjects (P< 0.005 and P< 0.001, respectively). The differences between Classes Ⅱ and Ⅲ were significant (P < 0.001). The plasma levels of beta-endorphin in the patients complicated with atrial fibrillation were also significantly higher than those in patients with normal sinus rhythm (33.31 ± 3.22 pg / ml, n= 13 vs 26.32± 5.07 pg / ml, n = 22, P< 0.001). In ten to fifteen minutes after commissurotomy, plasma levels of beta-endorphin in the femoral vein significantly increased from 28.20 ± 5.44 to 33.14 ± 5.72 pg / ml (P< 0.001). In seventy-two hours after the procedure, plasma beta-endorphin levels in the antecubital vein fell to 24.37 ± 2.59 pg / ml (P< 0.001 vs before PTMC and P<0.05 vs control subjects). Plasma beta-endorphin levels in the patients with atrial fibrillation (26.62 ± 2.36 pg / ml, P< 0.001 vs before PTMC and P< 0.002 vs control subjects) were still higher (P< 0.001) than those in patients with normal shins rhythm (23.05 ± 1.65 pg / ml, P< 0.001 vs before PTMC and P>50 vs control subjects. There was a significant correlation between the levels of beta-endorphin in the antecubital vein and heart rate (r = 0.502, P< 0.001), mean transmitral pressure gradient (r = 0.543, P< 0.001) or mitral valve area (r = -0.710, P< 0.001) before and 72 hours after the procedure.

Correlation between DDAH2- 449G / C polymorphism and plasma ADMA levels in type 2 diabetes

Objective To investigate the correlation between DDAH2 gene-449G/C polymorphism and plasma ADMA levels in patients with type 2 diabetes(T2DM).Methods The polymerase chain reaction-restricted fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP)was used to detect DDAH2 gene-449G/C polymorphism in 288 T2DM(T2DM group)and 279 normal controls(NC group).

Dose,Plasma Level,and Treatment Outcome Among Methadone Patients in Shanghai,China

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the blood levels of methadone in participants receiving methadone for the treatment of opioid dependence. After stabilization on methadone for four weeks, blood samples from 95 participants were collected between treatment weeks 4 and 12, before and after receiving doses of methadone, and its blood levels were measured. A multiple linear regression model was used to examine the associa- tion between methadone blood levels and the outcomes of methadone maintenance treatment （MMT）. Outcome dif- ferences between participants who had high （≥2） or low （〈2） peak-to-trough ratios were also compared using an independent sample t-test. The blood level of methadone was not correlated with the clinical outcome of MMT with the moderate range of doses given. However, the retention of patients who had a free peak-to-trough ratio 〉2 was significantly poorer than those whose ratio was 〈2. Thus, monitoring plasma methadone levels is unlikely to be effective for guiding dosing decisions in situations where compliance with MMT is already very high or when themethadone dose is no longer the dominant factor in determining the clinical outcome. However, monitoring plasma methadone levels is still helpful for guiding the dosage for patients with a rapid metabolism.

The relationship of plasma homocysteine level and apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism with Alzheimer's disease

Objective To investigate the correlations of plasma homocysteine(Hcy)level and apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism with Alzheimer’s disease(AD)and mild cognitive impairment(MCI).Methods A case-control study in 66 AD patients(AD group),64 MCI patients(MCI group)and 54 healthy controls(control group)was conducted.Plasma Hcy level and Apo E polymorphism

A cohort study on the association between fasting plasma glucose level over 5. 3 mmol / L and risks of abnormal glucose metabolism and cardiovascular diseases in the elderly

Objective To evaluate the association of fasting plasma glucose(FPG)level over 5.3 mmol/L with the development of abnormal glucose metabolism and cardiovascular disease(CVD).Methods This was a retrospec-tive cohort study with 1 064 non-diabetic subjects(980males;84 females)aged 60 or over,who carried out annual health check-up in Chinese PLA General